Fans, family plan ‘Idol’ viewing party tonight

Oliver Springs’ Janelle Arthur competes in the Top 7 of “American Idol” tonight, while local fans and relatives are meeting for an Oak Ridge viewing party and a scholarship in her honor.

by Donna Smith/Staff

Oliver Springs’ Janelle Arthur competes in the Top 7 of “American Idol” tonight, while local fans and relatives are meeting for an Oak Ridge viewing party and a scholarship in her honor.

Janelle survived the ax last week with her performance of “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” made famous by The Supremes. All contestants performed songs related to Detroit and/or Motown. Last Wednesday’s show opened with Janelle and contestant Kree Harrison performing Madonna’s “Like A Prayer.”

“I can’t believe two of my favorite girls in the whole world did a song together,” said judge Nicki Minaj.

Judges Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Randy Jackson voiced immense support for Janelle’s later performance of The Supremes classic, but Minaj wasn’t as enthusiastic as usual.

However, Minaj still commented, “Janelle, you always shine when you have your guitar in front of you.” Janelle played her guitar and sang in her own slow version of the song.

Tonight, the remaining seven contestants will perform songs that are deemed classic rock — but no ballads will be allowed. The show airs from 8 to 10 tonight on Channel 43 in Knoxville. Beginning at 10 p.m., people can vote for Janelle by calling into the telephone number that will be shown on the program or going to the website, http://www.americanidol.com/vote.

The surviving six contestants will be announced.

Janelle’s cousin Jordan Alcorn, an Oak Ridge firefighter, said there will be a viewing party from 8 to 10 tonight at Lincoln’s Sports Grille, South Illinois Avenue. It’s open to the public.

“Lincoln’s has graciously offered to give a portion of all proceeds to Janelle to help her family cover the cost of the time spent and future trips to Hollywood to be there in the audience to support her,” Alcorn wrote in an email. “Lincoln’s has also announced free chips and salsa for everyone who attends. Door prizes, shirts, and autographed pictures will also be available. Please come out and show your support for our local girl!”

Alcorn also sent The Oak Ridger information on a Janelle Arthur Music Scholarship. The scholarship, administered by the Roane State Foundation, was created as a tribute to Janelle’s “benevolent spirit and philosophy of giving back and ‘paying forward.’”

“It has been set up in perpetuity to allow the scholarship to retain permanently its real value and power to help students,” Alcorn stated. “It will be awarded annually to a deserving and needy scholar pursuing a degree in musical education. ... We are working with ‘American Idol’ to present this scholarship in Janelle’s name to her on stage in the coming weeks.”

To donate to the scholarship, send checks to Roane State Foundation, 276 Patton Lane, Harriman, TN 37748 or call (865) 882-4507. Checks should be earmarked for the Janelle Arthur Music Scholarship.